Don't get too relaxed... after Labor Day (and even before) there are important PM events in Prince George's, Montgomery and Howard counties -- plus musical opportunities to support our neighbors struggling after the Long Branch apartment explosion.

The Progressive Maryland Weekend Reader -- (Actually because of a cyber-hiccup appearing at the beginning of the week, this week) Here’s a collection of interesting reads for progressives from inside and outside Maryland.

Gov. Larry Hogan is doing some twists and turns on withholding money that the Legislature insisted he spend on the state's public education system, while rewarding private schools with taxpayer funds. His claim that he won't play politics with the budget is ringing pretty hollow these days.

How to help victims cope with disasters in Silver Spring, where an apartment blew up with deadly results, and in the slow recovery from flooding in Ellicott City -- plus the slow, stealthy disaster of tipped workers in Montgomery County with a separate minimum wage of $4 an hour. Plus summaries and links for our recent blog posts.

In Montgomery County, Restaurant Week is supposed to promote the good eats you can get in the county? But who benefits from the crowds flocking to the table? Not the servers and other restaurant workers, whose tipped wage is $4 an hour. Learn how to change this.